Church welcomes new pastor

Pastor William Starkweather

Pastor William Starkweather, a new seminary graduate, succeeds the Rev. LeRoy Ness, who retires as pastor of the Lutheran Parish of Northern Dutchess. Three churches comprise this parish: Memorial Lutheran Church in Rock City, St. Paul's (Zion's) Evangelical Lutheran Church in Red Hook and Third Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rhinebeck.

The new minister and his wife, Molly Wright Starkweather, will reside in the Third Evangelical Lutheran Church parsonage in Rhinebeck.

Starkweather grew up in Marietta, Ga., and began his formal education at Furman University in South Carolina. He completed his bachelor's degree in human services at Kennesaw State University in Georgia in 2008, and received a master of divinity degree from Luther Seminary in 2013. His wife tutors and teaches writing at Kaplan University from her home office.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, the new minister will be ordained and then installed as pastor of the three congregations. The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Rimbo, Bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will preside at the service, to be held at 10 a.m. at Third Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rhinebeck.

A luncheon reception follows the service. Members of the Rhinebeck and Red Hook communities are invited. For more information, call 845-876-4471. www.rhine becklutheran.org

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Church welcomes new pastor

Pastor William Starkweather, a new seminary graduate, succeeds the Rev. LeRoy Ness, who retires as pastor of the Lutheran Parish of Northern Dutchess.